Every other month our CLC Board of Missions updates us with recent news from various fields.
There is no lack of busyness to the month of December. Amidst all the flurry of activity, everyone is looking for something—or feeling they should be. Pastor Paul Agenten and his wife Courtney wondered, “Why not offer an option filled with saving light?”
Pastor Paul Agenten leads Christmas for Kids at Calvary Lutheran Church
“The true meaning of Christmas is hard to find at this time of year,” said Pastor Agenten. “One year, I could not find nativity stickers at any of the local crafts stores!” Though the Marquette community offers a myriad of children’s programs centered on secular winter themes, “we wanted to give kids the chance to hear the Christmas story through a variety of activities at their age level to celebrate Jesus’ birth.”
So Calvary Lutheran organized a Christmas for Kids afternoon. Parents and caregivers drop off their children for a few hours of Christmas activities, giving parents the opportunity to go Christmas shopping, wrap presents, or just have a nice break. Children ages three to twelve do crafts, sing songs, make a nativity-themed snack, play games, and learn about Jesus’ birth.
The event was advertised on Facebook, and Sunday school children shared coloring-page flyers with neighborhood friends. “Eighteen children attended the event the Saturday before Christmas,” said Pastor Agenten. “We greeted them and they colored Christmas carol bookmarks as they waited for the opening devotion in the sanctuary to begin. Two moms thanked us for offering this program so they could go cross-country skiing and enjoy the fresh snow together.” We’ll take it!
For opening devotion, Pastor Agenten used two pieces of manger wood to highlight the best gift of all: “Jesus, God’s Son, dying on the cross to take away the naughty things we do.” The children gathered around the Nativity, and moved the figurines as the story of Jesus’ birth was narrated. Children divided into two groups and rotated through lesson, craft, and snack stations. The children enjoyed creating an edible Nativity scene with pretzel sticks, cheese, grapes, carrots, and turkey.” The afternoon closed back in the sanctuary with familiar and beloved Christmas carols.
A local TV spot certainly sparked community buzz afterwards, but word of mouth excitement was key in organizing a similar Easter for Kids event the next spring with even bigger enrollment. The Agentens keep in regular contact with the families who have attended, always sure to mention the next event. Last summer, Calvary requested TVBS teachers to support the largest Vacation Bible School the congregation had seen in quite some years!
Not every program fits everywhere, but Calvary’s efforts serve as an example for us all to make the most of the opportunities God has given us for kingdom service. Whether the traditional summer VBS or a one-day holiday event, children’s outreach programs offer opportunities like no other to reach new households and call your current youth into leadership roles. As Calvary has experienced, keeping a VBS mindset “in season and out of season” can’t help but yield unexpected results.
The Agentens are more than eager to share their resources and best practices for their Christmas and Easter Saturday events. If you’re not even sure where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out to your CLC Mission Board. We are eager to listen, talk through any hurdles, and connect you with whatever resources you need to succeed!
is pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Hecla and Aberdeen, South Dakota, and Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bowdle, South Dakota. He also serves on the CLC Board of Missions.